RFID tag distance measurer

ABSTRACT

A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag distance measuring system and method is disclosed. One example includes a first replica path that receives a signal that is simultaneously transmitted to an RFID tag. The first replica path includes a plurality of taps at known distances along the first replica path. Each of the plurality of taps has a first tap input coupled with the first replica path. In addition, an RFID signal receiver receives a return signal from the RFID tag and provides the return signal along a measurement input, wherein each of the plurality of taps have a second tap input coupled with the measurement path. A distance determiner detects at least the first of the plurality of taps to have an output and determine a distance measurement to the RFID tag based thereon.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED U.S. APPLICATION

This application is a Divisional application of and claims priority toand benefit of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/900,953filed on May 23, 2013, entitled “RFID TAG DISTANCE MEASURER,” by JeffreySanders, et al., and assigned to the assignee of the presentapplication.

BACKGROUND

Radio frequency Identification (RFID) tags use radio-frequencyelectromagnetic fields to transfer data from a tag attached to anobject. Some RFID tags are powered by the electromagnetic fields used toread them. Other RFID tags include a local power source and modulatereflected radio waves. In some cases, RFID tags may includeelectronically stored information.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part ofthis application, illustrate and serve to explain the principles ofembodiments in conjunction with the description. Unless noted, thedrawings referred to in this description should be understood as notbeing drawn to scale.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an RFID tag distance measurer according toone embodiment of the present technology.

FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram of an RFID tag distance measureraccording to one embodiment of the present technology.

FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram of an RFID tag distance measurerutilizing an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) according to oneembodiment of the present technology.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an RFID tag distance measurer accordingto one embodiment of the present technology.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method for electronically measuring distanceto an RFID tag according to one embodiment of the present technology.

FIG. 5A is an illustration of measuring a distance to an RFID tagaccording to one embodiment of the present technology.

FIG. 5B is an illustration of measuring a distance to two RFID tagsaccording to one embodiment of the present technology.

FIG. 5C is an illustration of measuring a distance to three RFID tagsaccording to one embodiment of the present technology.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an example computer system upon whichembodiments of the present technology may be implemented.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT(S)

Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of thepresent technology, examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. While the present technology will be described inconjunction with these embodiments, it will be understood that they arenot intended to limit the present technology to these embodiments. Onthe contrary, the present technology is intended to cover alternatives,modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spiritand scope of the present technology as defined by the appended claims.Furthermore, in the following description of the present technology,numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the present technology. In other instances, well-knownmethods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described indetail as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the presenttechnology.

Unless specifically stated otherwise as apparent from the followingdiscussions, it is appreciated that throughout the present descriptionof embodiments, discussions utilizing terms such as “receiving”,“storing”, “generating”, “transmitting”, “inferring,” or the like, referto the actions and processes of a computer system, or similar electronicdevice. The computer system or similar electronic computing devicemanipulates and transforms data represented as physical (electronic)quantities within the computer system's registers and memories intoother data similarly represented as physical quantities within thecomputer system memories or registers or other such information storage,transmission, or display devices. Embodiments of the present technologyare also well suited to the use of other computer systems such as, forexample, mobile communication devices.

Overview

Embodiments of the present invention provide method and systems formeasuring the range to an RFID tag. One embodiment utilizes a measuringdevice that sends a signal down two paths. The first path includes awireless transmission to an RFID tag and the second path is a replica. Acomparison is then performed between the replica signal traveling aknown distance with an incoming signal received from the RFID tag. Inone embodiment, time of arrival is approximately equal to twice therange to the specific RFID tag.

In one embodiment, the measuring device includes a replica path that isequivalent to some portion of the range of the RFID tag. For example, ifthe RFID tag has a range of 30 meters, the replica path may be 60 meterslong. In one embodiment, the replica path may be scaled based on theratio of the speed of light through the replica path and the speed oflight through the atmosphere. The replica path may be, but is notlimited to, a metallic wire, silicon on a chip, fiber optic and thelike.

In one embodiment, taps are used at different distances along thereplica path and the spacing of the taps determines the measurementaccuracy. For example, taps spaced at 0.1 meter intervals will have moreresolution than taps spaced at 1 meter intervals.

In general, a signal is sent out simultaneously through the antenna andalong the replica path. As the signal travels through the replica path,taps along the path at specified distances feed the input ofcomparators. A receive antenna also feeds input into the samecomparators. The first comparator with signals on both inputs will beused to determine the distance measurement. In one embodiment, thereplica path is not flat but may be folded, rolled or the like.

With reference now to FIG. 1, a block diagram of an RFID tag distancemeasurer 100 is shown. In one embodiment, RFID tag distance measurer 100includes a first replica path 130, an RFID signal receiver 120, ameasurement input 140 and a distance determiner 150. In one embodiment,RFID tag distance measurer 100 also includes an RFID propagation delayprovider 112 to introduce a propagation delay to approximate propagationdelay 118 for a specific RFID tag 115 into the first replica path 130.For example, delay provider 112 may include a number of gates tosimulate the propagation delay 118. In another embodiment, delayprovider 112 may include an RFID tag chip to receive the signal fromsignal generator 110 which could be programmed to change the signal fromsignal generator 110 in a manner similar to the way actual RFID tag 115changes the signal such that the first replica path 130 matches themeasurement path 141.

In general, propagation delay 118 refers to the time it takes for anRFID tag 115 to receive the initial signal and then begin reflecting theresponse. For example, the initial signal is received by RFID tag 115.RFID tag 115 would add its own tag specific information to the signal asit reflects the signal. Thus, the propagation delay 118 is the time fromreception to reflection or transmission in an RFID tag. In anotherembodiment, a calibration mode may be utilized to determine thepropagation delay 118. For example, a user could stand at a fixeddistance to RFID tag 115 and activate the calibration mode. Given thefixed distance, the unit could determine how much of a propagation delayto use in propagation delay provider 112.

Signal generator 110 simultaneously distributes the signal wirelessly toRFID tag 115 and to the first replica path 130. Although signalgenerator 110, is shown as distinct from RFID tag distance measurer 100,in another embodiment, signal generator 110 may be incorporated withRFID tag distance measurer 100.

Distance determiner 150 detects at least the first of the plurality oftaps to have an output and determines a distance measurement to the RFIDtag based thereon.

Referring now to FIG. 2A, a schematic diagram 200 of an RFID tagdistance measurer 100 is shown according to one embodiment of thepresent technology. FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 2A and, as such, forpurposes of clarity repeated characteristics shown in both FIGS. 2A and3 will be described in FIG. 2A. In general, FIG. 2A shows a coiled firstreplica path 130 while FIG. 3 shows a straight first replica path 130.

With reference still to FIG. 2A, diagram 200 includes a signal generator110, which simultaneously transmits a signal to the first replica path130 and transmission antenna 221.

First replica path 130 also includes a plurality of taps 201, 202, 203,n, n+1 at known distances along the first replica path 130. In oneembodiment, each of the plurality of taps has a first tap input coupledwith the first replica path 130.

RFID tag 115 receives the signal from transmission antenna 221 andreflects/transmits a modified signal. RFID signal receiver 120 receivesthe modified signal from the RFID tag 115 and passes the signal to themeasurement inputs 140. In one embodiment, each of the plurality of taps201, 202, 203, n, n+1 has a second tap input coupled with themeasurement path 140.

Referring now to FIG. 2B, a schematic diagram 255 of an RFID tagdistance measurer utilizing analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) is shownaccording to one embodiment of the present technology. In general, acomparator will signal a logical “zero” without correlation, and alogical “one” if the two inputs match. As such, the output of thecomparator is essentially a 1-bit Analog to Digital Converter (ADC). Incontrast, the ADC(s) of FIG. 2B add more resolution by utilizing ADC(s)of more than one bit. In general, this can be done with a bunch of slowADCs, a single fast ADC or the like.

Diagram 255 includes a signal generator 110, which simultaneouslytransmits a signal to the first replica path 130 and transmissionantenna 221. First replica path 130 also includes a plurality of ADC(s)261, 262, 263, . . . n at known distances along the first replica path130. In one embodiment, each of the plurality of ADC(s) has a triggerinput coupled with the first replica path 130 and each of the ADC(s) aretied to the same point so they start converting to the digital domain atthe same time to provide a snapshot of the whole measurement path.

RFID tag 115 receives the signal from transmission antenna 221 andreflects/transmits a modified signal. RFID signal receiver 120 receivesthe modified signal from the RFID tag 115 and passes the signal to themeasurement inputs 140. In one embodiment, each of the plurality ofADC(s) 261, 262, 263, . . . n also has an input coupled with themeasurement path 140. In one embodiment, the inputs are placed at knowndistances along the measurement path 140.

In general, the ADC(s) parse an input voltage and provide a numericalvalue representing the voltage level in terms of a number of bits. Forexample, if the input is a 0.5 v signal, and the ADC(s) input range is0-1 volt, and the ADC(s) is an 8-bit parsing system [output range0-255], the output would be the number 128, half of 256.

In one embodiment, input 140 is the signal from antenna 120; the triggerfor activating the ADC(s) comes from the common path 130 from the signalgenerator source 110. In one embodiment, the trigger for activating theADC(s) happens at the time it takes for the rising edge of the signal toreach the end of the measurement path. For example, if the measurementpath is 30 m long, then the ADC(s) are started 60 m (30 m round trip)later. A timer circuit, a wire that is the max length of themeasurement, or the like may be used to trigger the ADC(s). The outputof the combined ADC(s) generate a wave form representing a digitalsnapshot of the analog signal at one moment. The samples at differentlocations along the measurement wire are represented as time in thesnapshot. Thus, determining the first rising edge of the return signalwill determine the measurement distance.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an RFID tag distance measurer accordingto one embodiment of the present technology. As stated herein, forpurposes of clarity the discussion will not repeat characteristics shownin both FIGS. 2A and 3, which were described in FIG. 2A. However,although some additional components are shown in FIG. 3, it isappreciated that one or more of the components may be utilized in FIG.2A or 3 within the scope of the present technology.

In one embodiment, FIG. 3 includes one or more optional line drivers336. In one embodiment, the line driver 336 may be utilized if an RFIDtag is inserted for propagation delay in the replica path circuitbecause the RFID tag doesn't source enough current to drive the inputsto the comparators. At the same time, a line driver 336 may be usedafter the signal is received by the antenna. For example, if the firstreplica path 130 is 60 meters long with many comparator inputs to drive,the signal may need a driver to ensure integrity for all of the inputsof first replica path 130.

FIG. 3 may include at least a second replica path 230. The secondreplica path 230 is configured with a plurality of the same or differentcomparators spaced at known distances different than the known distancesof the first replica path 130 to provide a different pre-defined levelof accuracy to the distance being determined. In other words, oneembodiment of multiple replica paths may include each path having itsown set of comparators, but in another embodiment, any or all of thecomparators may be used with each replica path.

In another embodiment, as shown in replica path 330, the differentreplica paths may change measurement points that connect to thecomparator inputs common to all replica paths. In other words, theintervals may not be constant between the different replica paths usingthe same comparators. For example, the measurement points of replicapath 330 do not correlate with the measurement points of first replicapath 130 or second replica path 230. By having different measurementpoints, the same comparators on the replica path side can be used foreach different replica path.

Additionally, the second replica path 230 may utilize the same path asfirst replica path 130 but may have a different start time, such as adelay or the like to provide different measurement distances withoutrequiring additional comparators. Thus, the first replica path 130 andany additional replica path may refer to physically different paths;different start times for the same path, or a combination thereof.

In one embodiment, a multiplexer 211 is located between the signalgenerator 110 and the RFID tag replicator/propagation delay circuits130, 230 and 330. In general, since the signal from signal generator 110is passed along multiple “replica” paths, the multiplexor 211 can beused to select which replica path to compare the measurement pathagainst.

FIG. 3 also includes the RFID propagation delay provider 112 assimilarly described in detail in FIG. 1. In one embodiment, a variabletime adjuster 113 may be used to provide a time delay on the signal fromsignal generator 110 to generate a time-delayed signal that is passeddown one or more of the replica paths configured with the plurality ofcomparators. In so doing, the time-delayed signal provided by variabletime adjuster 113 can act as a virtual replica path.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a flowchart 400 of a method for electronicallymeasuring distance to an RFID tag 115 is shown in accordance with oneembodiment.

With reference now to 402 of FIG. 4 and to FIG. 2A, one embodimenttransmits a signal to a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag 115.For example, the signal is transmitted from signal generator 110 to RFIDtag 115 via transmission antenna 221.

Referring now to 404 of FIG. 4 and to FIG. 2A, one embodimentsimultaneously transmits the same signal through a replica path 130configured with a plurality of comparators 201, 202, 203, n, n+1. In oneembodiment, the replica path 130 is a copper wire. In one embodiment,such as shown in FIG. 2A, the path may be coiled to reduce itsfootprint.

In one embodiment, the replica path 130 is calibrated to account for thetime difference between signal travel speed through the atmosphere andsignal travel speed through the replica path. For example, if thereplica path is copper wire, the replica path may be, for example, 1.5times longer than the atmosphere path to account for the signal speed incopper vs. atmosphere. In another embodiment, the replica path 130utilizes an RFID tag replicator to introduce propagation delay 118 forthe specific RFID tag 115 being measured.

In another embodiment, the replica path 130 is a silicon approximationsuch as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Similarly,the replica path 130 is calibrated to account for the time differencebetween signal travel speed through the atmosphere and through thesilicon as well as for propagation delay 118. In yet another embodiment,replica path 130 may be a field programmable gate array (FPGA). In yetanother embodiment, the replica path 130 may be a fiber optic path, orthe like.

Referring again to 404 of FIG. 4, the plurality of comparators 201, 202,203, n, n+1 are at known distances along the replica path 130. Bydefining the distance between each replica comparator input, apre-defined level of accuracy for the distance measurement isestablished. For example, an RFID tag distance measurer 100 withcomparators placed at 1 meter intervals along replica path 130 would beless accurate than RFID tag distance measurer 100 with comparatorsplaced at 0.1 meter intervals provided that the measured distance is inthe range of the measurement taps. In one embodiment, the intervals donot need to be the same between comparators when the distances to thecomparator taps are known.

With reference now to 406 of FIG. 4, one embodiment receives an RFID tagmodified return signal. The RFID tag modified return signal is modifiedfrom the originally transmitted signal since it will include informationfrom RFID tag 115. The information from RFID tag 115 may include aunique identifier, location information, exit and riser vectors 118,temperature sensors, attitude sensors, and the like.

Referring now to 408 of FIG. 4 and to FIG. 3, one embodiment transmitsthe RFID tag modified return signal to measurement inputs 140 coupledwith the plurality of comparators. In one embodiment, the comparatorsmay be wired-or logic, and-gates, op-amps, and the like.

In another embodiment, at least a second replica path 230 is provided.The second replica path 230 configured with a plurality of comparatorsspaced at known distances different than the known distances of thefirst replica path 130 to provide a different pre-defined level ofaccuracy to the distance being determined. For example, first replicapath 130 may have comparators placed at 0.1 meter intervals while thesecond replica path 230 may have comparators placed at 0.5 meterintervals. However, in another embodiment, the intervals along a replicapath do not need to be the same.

One embodiment selectively transmits the signal down either the firstreplica path 130 or at least the second replica path 230 coupled withthe plurality of comparators. For example, the route may be userselected or automatically selected. In another embodiment, the signal istransmitted down both the first replica path 130 and at least the secondreplica path 230 coupled with the plurality of comparators if thereplica paths use different sets of comparators. For example, a coarsemeasurement can be made which can be used to select a path with a finermeasurement. If the coarse measurement says 6 m, the measurement couldbe repeated down the <10 m path to find out the measurement was actually6.3 m.

By having a number of different replica paths, RFID tag distancemeasurer 100 may have a number of settings that may be manually orautomatically selected. For example, RFID tag distance measurer 100 mayhave modes such as: 1-10 meter measurement, 10-30 meter measurement, 30+meter measurement and the like. By having a number of different modes,the accuracy of RFID tag distance measurer 100 could be adjusted basedon situation specific criteria. For example, if the measurements weremade between a crane ball and a crane tower, there may not be a need tomeasure closer than 10 meters. Similarly, if the measurements were madein a room, there may not be a need to measure farther than 10 meters.

By providing adjustable distance applications, the accuracy within aspecified range could be increased. For example, if RFID tag distancemeasurer 100 were set at the >30 meter range, a hybrid silicon/wirereplica path may be used to reduce the length of wire needed. In otherwords, by introducing silicon into the start of the wire replica path,the travel time for the first 30 meters, or whatever desired distance,would be compensated for by the silicon. In so doing, the overall lengthof first replica path 130 would be significantly reduced.

With reference now to 410 of FIG. 4 and to FIG. 2A, one embodimentdetermines a first activated comparator from the plurality ofcomparators. For example, as the signal travels down a replica path 130each comparator is encountered in sequence. However, the comparator willnot provide an output until both inputs are active. In other words, notuntil both the replica signal and the RFID tag modified return signalare present. In one embodiment, the first comparator to provide anoutput will be used to determine the distance.

Referring now to 412 of FIG. 4 and to FIGS. 1 and 2A, one embodimentutilizes a distance along the replica path 130 to the first activatedcomparator to determine a distance to the RFID tag. For example, assume:

The signal traverses first replica path 130 at the approximate rate of 1foot per nanosecond* 3/2 for copper wire and 1 foot per nanosecond forfiber optic cable and a calibrated delay for a silicon path depending onfabrication process;

and

The first output was from comparator n at 44 nanoseconds.

Distance determiner 150 would determine that 44 nanoseconds correlate to44 feet along the fiber optic measurement path. Distance determiner 150would then divide the resultant distance of 44 feet by 2 to account forthe round trip travel of the signal to and from RFID tag 115. In sodoing, it would be determined that RFID tag 115 was approximately 22feet away.

Location Example

In the following discussion FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate one way to determinethe location of the RFID tag 115 utilizing RFID tag distance measurer100.

With reference now to FIG. 5A, an illustration 500 measuring a distanceto an RFID tag 115 from known location A is shown according to oneembodiment of the present technology. In one embodiment, RFID tagdistance measurer 100 determines the range to RFID tag 115 from a knownpoint A. For example, RFID tag distance measurer 100 may determine thatRFID tag 115 is 10 meters from point A. However, in this example thedirection to RFID tag 115 is unknown, therefore, the location of RFIDtag 115 could be anywhere on a 360 degree sphere with a radius of 10meters from point A. In one embodiment, RFID tag distance measurer 100may determine its location with location systems such as, but notlimited to, global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), local NSS,reverse RFID positioning, benchmarks, and the like.

Referring now to FIG. 5B, an illustration 525 measuring a distance toRFID tag 115 from known locations A and B are shown in accordance withone embodiment of the present technology. For example, the RFID tagdistance measurer 100 performs a distance measurement to determine thatRFID tag 115 is 10 meters away from known point B with one point ofambiguity 115 f on a 2-D plane. The 360 degree sphere with a radius of10 meters from point B is overlaid on the similarly determined spheregenerated from point A. At the two measurement level, in 2D the RFID tag115 could be at one of two locations 115 and 115 f (false) as shown inDiagram 525 of FIG. 5B by the two intersections of the radial distancesfrom points A and B.

With reference now to FIG. 5C, an illustration 550 measuring a distanceto RFID tag 115 from known locations A, B, and C are shown in accordancewith one embodiment of the present technology. For example, the RFID tagdistance measurer 100 performs a distance measurement to determine thatRFID tag 115 is 10 meters away from known point C. The 360 degree spherewith a radius of 10 meters from point C is overlaid on the similarlydetermined sphere generated from points A and B. In so doing, the2-dimensional location of RFID tag 115 can be determined. Although FIGS.5A-5C show an increase from one to three measurement locations, itshould be understood that the process can additionally be performed fromfour or more different locations having spatial diversity to determinethe location of RFID tag 115 in 3-dimensional space.

In another embodiment, the location of the RFID tag distance measurer100 is determined by keeping RFID tag distance measurer 100 in the samelocation and determining the distance to one or more RFID tags 115 thatare in known locations, acting like pseudo positioning satellites. Forexample, the RFID tag 115 may include location coordinates in the returnsignal, may be in a known location, may have its location coordinatesstored in a database that can be accessed, or the like.

Computer System

With reference now to FIG. 6, portions of the technology for providing acommunication composed of computer-readable and computer-executableinstructions that reside, for example, in non-transitory computer-usablestorage media of a computer system. That is, FIG. 6 illustrates oneexample of a type of computer that can be used to implement embodimentsof the present technology. FIG. 6 represents a system or components thatmay be used in conjunction with aspects of the present technology. Inone embodiment, some or all of the components of FIG. 1 or FIG. 3 may becombined with some or all of the components of FIG. 6 to practice thepresent technology.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example computer system 600 used in accordancewith embodiments of the present technology. It is appreciated thatsystem 600 of FIG. 6 is an example only and that the present technologycan operate on or within a number of different computer systemsincluding general purpose networked computer systems, embedded computersystems, routers, switches, server devices, user devices, variousintermediate devices/artifacts, stand-alone computer systems, mobilephones, personal data assistants, televisions and the like. As shown inFIG. 6, computer system 600 of FIG. 6 is well adapted to havingperipheral computer readable media 602 such as, for example, a floppydisk, a compact disc, a flash drive, and the like coupled thereto.

System 600 of FIG. 6 includes an address/data/control bus 604 forcommunicating information, and a processor 606A coupled to bus 604 forprocessing information and instructions. As depicted in FIG. 6, system600 is also well suited to a multi-processor environment in which aplurality of processors 606A, 606B, and 606C are present. Conversely,system 600 is also well suited to having a single processor such as, forexample, processor 606A. Processors 606A, 606B, and 606C may be any ofvarious types of microprocessors. System 600 also includes data storagefeatures such as a computer usable volatile memory 608, e.g. randomaccess memory (RAM), coupled to bus 604 for storing information andinstructions for processors 606A, 606B, and 606C.

System 600 also includes computer usable non-volatile memory 610, e.g.read only memory (ROM), coupled to bus 604 for storing staticinformation and instructions for processors 606A, 606B, and 606C. Alsopresent in system 600 is a data storage unit 612 (e.g., a magnetic oroptical disk and disk drive) coupled to bus 604 for storing informationand instructions. System 600 also includes an optional alpha-numericinput device 614 including alphanumeric and function keys coupled to bus604 for communicating information and command selections to processor606A or processors 606A, 606B, and 606C. System 600 also includes anoptional cursor control device 616 coupled to bus 604 for communicatinguser input information and command selections to processor 606A orprocessors 606A, 606B, and 606C. System 600 of the present embodimentalso includes an optional display device 618 coupled to bus 604 fordisplaying information.

Referring still to FIG. 6, optional display device 618 of FIG. 6 may bea liquid crystal device, cathode ray tube, OLED, plasma display deviceor other display device suitable for creating graphic images andalpha-numeric characters recognizable to a user. Optional cursor controldevice 616 allows the computer user to dynamically signal the movementof a visible symbol (cursor) on a display screen of display device 618.Many implementations of cursor control device 616 are known in the artincluding a trackball, mouse, touch pad, joystick or special keys onalpha-numeric input device 614 capable of signaling movement of a givendirection or manner of displacement. Alternatively, it will beappreciated that a cursor can be directed and/or activated via inputfrom alpha-numeric input device 614 using special keys and key sequencecommands.

System 600 is also well suited to having a cursor directed by othermeans such as, for example, voice commands. System 600 also includes anI/O device 620 for coupling system 600 with external entities. Forexample, in one embodiment, I/O device 620 is a modem for enabling wiredor wireless communications between system 600 and an external networksuch as, but not limited to, the Internet or intranet. A more detaileddiscussion of the present technology is found below.

Referring still to FIG. 6, various other components are depicted forsystem 600. Specifically, when present, an operating system 622,applications 624, modules 626, and data 628 are shown as typicallyresiding in one or some combination of computer usable volatile memory608, e.g. random access memory (RAM), and data storage unit 612.However, it is appreciated that in some embodiments, operating system622 may be stored in other locations such as on a network or on a flashdrive; and that further, operating system 622 may be accessed from aremote location via, for example, a coupling to the internet. In oneembodiment, the present technology, for example, is stored as anapplication 624 or module 626 in memory locations within RAM 608 andmemory areas within data storage unit 612. The present technology may beapplied to one or more elements of described system 600.

System 600 also includes one or more signal generating and receivingdevice(s) 630 coupled with bus 604 for enabling system 600 to interfacewith other electronic devices and computer systems. Signal generatingand receiving device(s) 630 of the present embodiment may include wiredserial adaptors, modems, and network adaptors, wireless modems, andwireless network adaptors, and other such communication technology. Thesignal generating and receiving device(s) 630 may work in conjunctionwith one or more communication interface(s) 632 for coupling informationto and/or from system 600. Communication interface 632 may include aserial port, parallel port, Universal Serial Bus (USB), Ethernet port,Bluetooth, thunderbolt, near field communications port, WiFi, Cellularmodem, or other input/output interface. Communication interface 632 mayphysically, electrically, optically, or wirelessly (e.g. via radiofrequency) couple system 600 with another device, such as a cellulartelephone, radio, or computer system.

The computing system 600 is only one example of a suitable computingenvironment and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to thescope of use or functionality of the present technology. Neither shouldthe computing environment 600 be interpreted as having any dependency orrequirement relating to any one or combination of components illustratedin the example computing system 600.

The present technology may be described in the general context ofcomputer-executable instructions, such as program modules, beingexecuted by a computer. Generally, program modules include routines,programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., that performparticular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Thepresent technology may also be practiced in distributed computingenvironments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices thatare linked through a communications network. In a distributed computingenvironment, program modules may be located in both local and remotecomputer-storage media including memory-storage devices.

Although the subject matter is described in a language specific tostructural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understoodthat the subject matter defined in the appended claims is notnecessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above.Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed asexample forms of implementing the claims.

We claim:
 1. A method for electronically measuring distance to an RFIDtag, the method comprising: transmitting a signal to a radio frequencyidentification (RFID) tag; simultaneously transmitting the same signaldown a replica path configured with a plurality of comparators;receiving an RFID tag modified return signal; transmitting the RFID tagmodified return signal to the plurality of comparators; determining afirst activated comparator from the plurality of comparators; andutilizing a distance along the replica path to the first activatedcomparator to determine a distance to the RFID tag, wherein theplurality of comparators are located at known distances to provide apre-defined level of accuracy to the distance being determined.
 2. Themethod of claim 1 further comprising: utilizing a copper wire as thereplica path calibrated to account for a time difference between signaltravel speed through the atmosphere and through the copper wire.
 3. Themethod of claim 2 further comprising: coiling the copper wire to reducea footprint of the copper wire.
 4. The method of claim 1 furthercomprising: utilizing a fiber optic cable as the replica path,calibrated to account for a time difference between signal travel speedthrough the atmosphere and through the fiber optic cable.
 5. The methodof claim 4 further comprising: coiling the fiber optic cable to reduce afootprint of the fiber optic cable.
 6. The method of claim 1 furthercomprising: utilizing silicon as the replica path calibrated to accountfor a time difference between signal travel speed through the atmosphereand through the silicon.
 7. The method of claim 1 wherein the replicapath comprises a hybrid cable formed via combination of at least twodifferent materials from the group consisting of: silicon, copper andfiber optic cable; that has been calibrated to account for a timedifference between signal travel speed through the atmosphere and thehybrid cable.
 8. The method of claim 1 further comprising: providing atleast a second replica path configured with the plurality of comparatorsat known distances different than the known distances of the pluralityof comparators of the replica path; and selectively transmitting thesignal on either the replica path or at least the second replica pathcoupled with the plurality of comparators.
 9. The method of claim 1further comprising: providing at least a second replica path configuredwith the plurality of comparators at known distances different than theknown distances of the plurality of comparators of the replica path; andtransmitting the signal down on the replica path and at least the secondreplica path coupled with the plurality of comparators.
 10. The methodof claim 1 further comprising: utilizing a time delay on the signal togenerate a time-delayed signal; transmitting the time-delayed signaldown the replica path configured with the plurality of comparators, thetime-delayed signal acting as a virtual second replica path; determininga first activated comparator from the plurality of comparators; andutilizing a distance along the virtual second replica path to the firstactivated comparator to determine a distance to the RFID tag.